Method and apparatus for heating and dispensing individually packaged food products

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged good products, wherein the products are sequentially moved to, and supported at, a heatingdispensing station. While at such such station, each product is heated by passing an electrical current therethrough and then dispensed by removing the support therefor so that the product gravitates away from the station.

Dnited Mates Patent Doslonslri [54] METHUD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DISPENSING TNDHVIDUALLY PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS [72] Inventor: Donald .1. Roslonski, Pennsauken, NJ.

[7 3] Assignee: National Electra-Cool: Corporation,

Mount Laurel, N .J

[22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 5,854

[51 1 int. Cl. ..H05b 3/00 [58] Field 01 Search ..99/357, 332, 358, 238.2, 238.4,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,794,384 6/1957 Sierk et al ..99/357 [451 Mar. 28, 1972 2,896,527 7/1959 Richman et a1 ..99/332 2,390,277 12/1945 Simpkins 2,930,312 3/1960 Richman et al..

2,953,080 9/1960 Gartner et a1.... 1,734,045 11/1929 Parran ..22l/150 Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel Assistant ExaminerArthur 0. Henderson Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie and Beckett [5 7] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged good products, wherein the products are sequentially moved to, and supported at, a heating-dispensing station. While at such such station, each product is heated by passing an electrical current therethrough and then dispensed by removing the support therefor so that the product gravitates away from the station.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR28 1972 SHEET 1 BF 3 w T N E V W MW ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMARZB I972 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAR28 I972 MEET 3 [IF 3 INVENTOR METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DISPENSING INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged food products, and specifically, to a method and apparatus of the foregoing type which are particularly adapted for employment in an automatic vending machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many machines are known for automatically vending individually packaged food products, such as individually packaged frankfurter sandwiches. Many such machines include means for heating the products before they are dispensed by passing an electrical current therethrough; commonly referred to as electrical resistance heating. Representative of such machines are those disclosed in Aff U.S. Pat. No. 2,287,956, Simpkins U.S. Pat. No. 2,390,277, Sierk et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,794,384 and Everett U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,511. Electrical resistance heating is both efficient and rapid, and therefore is ideally suited for employment in automatic vending machines. However, the heating means employed in the machines disclosed in the above-mentioned patents each includes two or more electrodes which pierce a product to be heated. Obviously, piercing of the products is undesirable both from a sanitary and an appearance standpoint.

At least one attempt has been made to provide an electrical resistance heating means for employment in automatic vending machines which does not pierce the food products. Such a heating means is disclosed in Richman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,312. However, in this machine the products are not individually packaged, and therefore are contacted by the hands of a custodian when loading the machine. Also, the heating mechanism includes a pair of blunt electrodes which directly contact opposite ends of a product to be heated. Consequently, while the food products dispensed from this machine have a more appetizing appearance than those dispensed from machines which employ product-piercing electrodes, the machine does not eliminate the problem of potential contamination.

Moreover, the prior art vending machines, including those specifically mentioned above, employ relatively complex and expensive mechanisms for heating and dispensing food products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method and apparatus of the invention obviate the foregoing problems and therefore are ideally suited for employment in automatic vending machines.

Basically described, the apparatus of the invention comprises; a storage cabinet; means mounted in the cabinet for storing at least one stack of individually packaged food products; a mechanism mounted in the cabinet below the storage means for sequentially heating the products, said heating mechanism including a first linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of the first actuator being affixed to the cabinet, and a pair of electrodes each having a blunt package-contacting surface, one of the electrodes being affixed to the movable element of the first actuator and normally positioned in spaced relationship to one end of the lowermost product in the stack, the other of the electrodes being affixed to the cabinet and positioned adjacent the other end of the lowermost product in opposing relationship to said one electrode so that upon energization of the first actuator, said one electrode is moved toward said other electrode and the ends of the lowermost product thereby contacted by the electrodes for heating the lowermost product by passing an electrical current therethrough, and upon deenergization of the first actuator, said one electrode is moved away from said other electrode and the ends of the lowermost product thereby released by the electrodes; a mechanism mounted in the cabinet below the storage means for sequentially dispensing the products, said dispensing mechanism including a second linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of the second actuator being affixed to the cabinet, an L-shaped bracket having a generally vertically extending upper leg connected to the movable element of the second actuator and a generally horizontally extending lower leg normally positioned under the lowermost product so that the stack is thereby supported by the bracket, and a substantially planar, generally horizontally extending bail integrally affixed to the bracket and normally positioned adjacent one side of the lowermost product, the bail being substantially vertically aligned with the juncture between the lowermost and the next lowermost product in the stack so that upon energization of the second actuator, the lower leg is removed from under the lowermost product and the bail is moved between the lowermost and next lowermost products, whereupon the lowermost product gravitates away from the stack and the remaining products in the stack are supported by the bail, and upon deenergization of the second actuator, the bail is removed from under the next lowermost product and the lower leg is moved under the next lowermost product, whereupon the remaining products gravitate downwardly until the next lowermost product contacts the lower leg and the remaining products are thereby supported by the bracket; means for supplying electrical current to the electrodes; and means for controlling the operation of the first and second actuators and the current supply means so that the products are sequentially heated and dispensed in response to a control signal.

The method of the invention generally comprises; sequentially moving a plurality of individually packaged food products to, and supporting the products at, a heatingdispensing station, and while each product is at the station, heating the product by passing an electrical current therethrough without destroying the integrity of the package in which the product is packaged, and then dispensing the product by removing the support therefor so that the product gravitates away from the station.

The packages in which the food products are individually packaged preferably are of the type disclosed in application, Ser. No. 837,645, filed June 30, 1969, now abandoned. Each such packageincludes a wrapper which encloses one of the products and has a pair of electrical conducting strips which contact opposite ends of the product to facilitate the passage of an electrical current therethrough.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged food products.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus as described in the preceding object which are particularly adapted for employment in automatic vending machines.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus as described in the preceding objects in which the food products are heated by passing an electrical current therethrough without destroying the integrity of the packages in which the products are individually packaged.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged food products, which apparatus embodies a relatively simple and inexpensive structure.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof given in connection with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a vending machine employing the method and apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the dispensing mechanism of the apparatus of the invention DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method and apparatus of the invention are employed in an automatic vending machine 10. Machine includes a cabinet 12 having a hingedly mounted front panel 14. Panel 14 may be opened to permit access to the interior of the cabinet for servicing the components of machine 10 disposed therein and replenishing the food products stored therein. The exterior panels of cabinet 12, including front panel 14, are insulated so that the interior of the cabinet may be maintained at a reduced temperature to prevent the food products stored therein from spoiling.

The interior of cabinet 12 is divided by a partition 16 into an upper compartment 18 and a lower compartment 20. A conventional refrigeration unit 22 is mounted in lower compartment 20. A network 24 of tubing is mounted on the inner surface of the rear panel of cabinet 12 in upper compartment 18 and is connected to the refrigeration unit for carrying refrigerant between the unit and the upper compartment to refrigerate such compartment.

A plurality of storage magazines 26 are mounted in upper compartment 18 for storing the food products to be dispensed from machine 10. Each magazine includes a pair of substantially octagonal-shaped plates 36; one such plate being disposed at each of the upper and lower ends of each magazine. A stub shaft 30 is affixed to the upper plate 36 and is journaled in a bearing support 32 affixed to the inner surface of the top panel of cabinet 12. A shaft-receiving split collar 34 is affixed to the lower plate 36.

Eight radially extending storage racks 38 are connected to the plates 36 of each magazine; one such rack being disposed adjacent each of the eight sides of the plates. Each rack 38 comprises a pair of substantially vertically extending channel members 40 having C-shaped transverse cross section The members 40 of each rack are mounted in opposing relationship and are connected together and to the associated plates 36 by brackets 42 disposed adjacent the upper and lower ends of the members. Plates 36, channel members 40 and brackets 42 preferably are made of sheet metal, and the brackets are secured to the plates and channel members in any conventional manner, such as by spot welding.

Each rack 38 is adapted to store therein a stack of individually packaged food products, such as individually packaged frankfurter sandwiches 44. The size and shape of channel members 40 are selected to provide appropriately sized and shaped racks 38 for accommodating therein the particular food product to be stored.

An electric motor (not shown) is mounted in a case 46 affixed to the lower surface of partition 16 substantially centrally of each magazine 26. Each motor includes an output shaft 48 which extends upwardly through an opening in partition 16 and is fixedly engaged by the collar 34 of the associated magazine so that when shaft 48 is rotatably driven the magazine will also be rotated.

The weight of each magazine is borne by a bearing support 50 which is rotatably engaged by the associated collar 34. Each support 50 is concentrically disposed about the associated shaft 48 and is afiixed to the upper surface of partition 16.

As shown in the drawings, machine 10 includes three storage magazines 26, although a greater or lesser number of magazines may be employed. Also, if desired, one or more different types of food products may be stored in each magazine, or as shown in the drawings a single type of food product may be stored in all of the magazines.

Mounted below each storage magazine are mechanisms for sequentially heating and dispensing the food products stored therein. Specifically, a heating mechanism and a dispensing mechanism are mounted below two diametrically opposed racks 38 of each magazine 26. The heating and dispensing mechanisms mounted below each rack are aligned therewith and define a heating-dispensing station at which the sandwiches 44 stored in the rack are sequentially heated and dispensed in response to an appropriate control signal. The racks communicate with the heating-dispensing stations through openings 64 in partition 16. The stack of sandwiches stored in a rack which is aligned with one of openings 64 sequentially gravitate through the opening into the associated heating-dispensing station, with the lowermost sandwich in the stack being disposed at such station. To facilitate the description of the method and apparatus of the invention, a sandwich 44 which is disposed at one of the heating-dispensing stations will hereinafter be identified by reference numeral 28 to distinguish such sandwich from the other sandwiches 44 stored in magazines 26.

Each heating mechanism includes a linear actuator, such as a solenoid 52 having a movable armature 54 and a stationary stator 56. Stator 56 is affixed to the lower surface of partition 16 adjacent one end ofthe associated sandwich 28. Each heating mechanism also includes a pair of blunt electrodes 58 and 60. Electrode 58 is connected to the armature 54 of the associated solenoid 52 and is positioned adjacent the same end of the associated sandwich 28 as stator 56. Electrode 60 is affixed to one side ofa chute 62 adjacent the other end of the associated sandwich 28 in opposing relationship to electrode 58. One of chutes 62 extends between each of the heatingdispensing stations and front panel 14 of cabinet 12.

Each solenoid S2 is normally de-energized and the associated electrode 58 thereby normally held out of contact with the adjacent end of the associated sandwich 28 in spaced relationship to such end. Upon the energization of one of solenoids 52, the associated electrode 58 is moved toward the opposing electrode 60 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, so that the ends of the associated sandwich 28 are contacted by the electrodes. Electrical current may then be passed through the sandwich 28 to thereby heat the sandwich. Electrodes 58 and 60 are connected by appropriate leads to a conventional means for supplying electrical current thereto (not shown) for accomplishing the desired heating.

As mentioned above, the packages in which the sandwiches are individually packaged are of the type disclosed in application, Ser. No. 837,645, filed June 30, 1969. As disclosed in such application, each package includes a wrapper having electrical conducting strips which contact opposite ends of a meat product wrapped therein. Electrical current thus passes from one electrode, through one of the conducting strips, through the meat product which in this instance is a frankfurter, through the other conducting strip, and into the other electrode. The sandwiches are thus heated without destroying the integrity of the packages in which they are individually packaged. The packages remain sealed until they are individually opened by consumers. The problems of potential contamination and unappetizing appearance with result from piercing the food products with two or more electrodes are thus eliminated by the method and apparatus of the invention.

After a sandwich 28 has been heated, the associated solenoid 52 is de-energized and the associated electrode 58 is moved away from the opposing electrode 60 so that the ends of the sandwich are released by the electrodes.

Each dispensing mechanism includes a second linear actuator, such as a solenoid 66 having a movable armature 68 and a stationary stator 70. Stator 70 is affixed to the lower surface of partition 16 adjacent the rear side of the associated sandwich 28. Each dispensing mechanism also includes a bracket 72. Bracket 72 has an L-shaped transverse cross-section defined by a substantially vertically extending upper leg 76 which is connected to the armature 68 of the associated solenoid 66, and a substantially horizontally extending lower leg 74 which is normally positioned under the associated sandwich 28. Bracket 72 thus normally supports the stack of sandwiches which are aligned with the associated opening 64. The stacks of sandwiches which are not aligned with one of openings 64 are supported by partition 16.

A substantially planar, generally horizontally extending bail 78 is integrally affixed to each bracket 72 by a pair of arms 77. Arms 77 extend around the associated sandwich 28 so that bail 78 is normally positioned adjacent the front side of such sandwich. Also, the bail is vertically aligned with the juncture between the associated sandwich 28 and next lowermost sandwich 44 in the associated stack. The inner edge 80 of the bail is beveled to facilitate insertion of the bail between the associated sandwich 28 and the next lowermost sandwich 44.

Upon the energization of one of solenoids 66, the armature 68 thereof is retracted so that the associated lower leg 74 is moved out from under the associated sandwich 28 and is moved rearwardly through an opening 82 formed in the rear wall of the associated chute 62. Sandwich 28 then gravitates away from the heating-dispensing station and is carried by the associated chute 62 to adjacent front panel 14. The length of brackets 72 is substantially less than the length of sandwiches 28 so that when the brackets are retracted, the sandwiches are prevented from moving rearwardly with the brackets by the 'portions of chutes 62 which define openings 82. When one of brackets 72 is retracted, the associated bail 78 is moved rearwardly with the bracket and thus moves under the associated next lowermost sandwich 44 to thereby support the remaining sandwiches in the associated stack while the associated sandwich 28 is gravitating away from the heating-dispensing station.

After a sandwich 28 has gravitated away from one of the heating-dispensing stations, the associated solenoid 66 is deenergized so that the associated bail 78 is moved forwardly out from under the associated next lowermost sandwich 44, and the associated lower leg 74 moves thereunder. The remaining sandwiches in the associated stack then gravitate downwardly until the next lowermost sandwich 44 contacts lower leg 74, whereupon such sandwich is disposed at the heatingdispensing station and becomes the associated lowermost sandwich 28.

Mounted on front panel 14 in alignment with the outer ends of chutes 62 are a plurality of access doors 84. When a sandwich 28 is dispensed from one of the heating-dispensing stations, it gravitates down the associated chute 62 and may be removed from vending machine 10 through the associated door 84. Each of doors 84 preferably includes a transparent window through which a consumer may observe the presence of a sandwich in the outer end of the associated chute 62.

Vending machine 10 also includes a conventional control circuit including a coin mechanism 86, and a timer (not shown) for controlling the operation of the motors mounted within cases 46, solenoids 52 and 66 and the means for supplying electrical current to electrodes 58 and 60. Also, the control circuit may include appropriate selector buttons 88 mounted on the outer surface of panel 14 which may be selectively depressed by a consumer for selecting a particular type of food product if more than one type of product is stored in magazines 26. In addition, the control circuit may include appropriate indicators 90 for indicating when a particular storage magazine is exhausted.

With respect to vending machine 10, sandwiches 44 preferably are alternately dispensed from each of the two stacks in each magazine which are aligned with the associated openings 64. After both such stacks are exhausted, the motor within the associated case 46 is energized by the control circuit to rotate the magazine approximately 45 to thereby align two additional stacks of sandwiches with the openings.

The method of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description of the apparatus thereof. The method comprises; sequentially moving a plurality of individually packaged food products to, and supporting such products at, a heating-dispensing station, and while each product is at the nova station, heating the product by passing an electrical current therethrough without destroying the integrity of the package in which the product is packaged, and then dispensing the product by removing the support therefor so that the product gravitates away from the heating-dispensing station.

The method and apparatus of the invention are relatively simple and inexpensive, yet are extremely effective and efficient, and therefore are ideally suited for employment in automatic vending machines.

While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the invention, it is recognized that various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. An apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged food products, said apparatus comprising:

a storage cabinet;

means mounted in said cabinet for storing at least one stack of said products;

a mechanism mounted in said cabinet below said storage means for sequentially heating said products, said heating mechanism including a first linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of said first actuator being affixed to said cabinet, and a pair of electrodes each having a blunt package-contacting surface, one of said electrodes being affixed to the movable element of said first actuator and normally positioned in spaced relationship to one end of the lowermost product in said stack, the other of said electrodes being affixed to said cabinet and positioned adjacent the other end of said lowermost product in opposing relationship to said one electrode so that upon energization of said first actuator, said one electrode is moved toward said other electrode and the ends of said lowermost product thereby contacted by the electrodes for heating said lowermost product by passing an electrical current therethrough, and upon de-energization of said first actuator, said one electrode is moved away from said other electrode and the ends of said lowermost product thereby released by said electrodes;

a mechanism mounted in said cabinet below said storage means for sequentially dispensing said products, said dispensing mechanism including a second linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of said second actuator being afiixed to said cabinet, an L-shaped bracket having a generally vertically extending upper leg connected to the movable element of said second actuator and a generally horizontally extending lower leg normally positioned under said lowermost product so that said stack is thereby supported by said bracket, and a substantially planar, generally horizontally extending bail integrally affixed to said bracket and normally positioned adjacent one side of said lowermost product, said bail being substantially vertically aligned with the juncture between said lowermost and the next lowermost product in said stack so that upon energization of said second actuator, said lower leg is removed from under said lowermost product and said bail is moved between said lowermost and next lowermost products, whereupon said lowermost product gravitates away from said stack and the remaining products in said stack are supported by said bail, and upon de-energization of said second actuator, said bail is removed from under said next lowermost product and said lower leg is moved under said next lowermost product, whereupon said remaining products gravitate downwardly until said next lowermost product contacts said lower leg and said remaining products are thereby supported by said bracket;

means for supplying electrical current to said electrodes;

and

means for controlling the operation of said first and second actuators and said current supplying means so that said products are sequentially heated and dispensed in response to a control signal.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means mounted in said cabinet for storing a plurality of said stacks, and means for relatively moving said storage means and said heating and dispensing mechanisms so that when one stack is exhausted said heating and dispensing mechanisms will be positioned below another stack.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2; wherein said storage means comprises at least one magazine rotatably mounted in said cabinet and comprising a plurality of radially extending storage racks each being adapted to store a stack of said products therein; and wherein said relative moving means comprises means for selectively rotating said magazine.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3; wherein one of said heating mechanisms and one of said dispensing mechanisms are positioned at each of two diametrically opposed locations below each of said magazines; and wherein said racks are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of said magazines.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising refrigeration means mounted in said cabinet for maintaining the interior of the cabinet at a reduced temperature to prevent said products from spoiling. 

1. An apparatus for sequentially heating and dispensing a plurality of individually packaged food products, said apparatus comprising: a storage cabinet; means mounted in said cabinet for storing at least one stack of said products; a mechanism mounted in said cabinet below said storage means for sequentially heating said products, said heating mechanism including a first linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of said first actuator being affixed to said cabinet, and a pair of electrodes each having a blunt package-contacting surface, one of said electrodes being affixed to the movable element of said first actuator and normally positioned in spaced relationship to one end of the lowermost product in said stack, the other of said electrodes being affixed to said cabinet and positioned adjacent the other end of said lowermost product in opposing relationship to said one electrode so that upon energization of said first actuator, said one electrode is moved toward said other electrode and the ends of said lowermost product thereby contacted by the electrodes for heating said lowermost product by passing an electrical current therethrough, and upon deenergization of said first actuator, said one electrode is moved away from said other electrode and the ends of said lowermost product thereby released by said electrodes; a mechanism mounted in said cabinet below said storage means for sequentially dispensing said products, said dispensing mechanism including a second linear actuator having a movable element and a stationary element, the stationary element of said second actuator Being affixed to said cabinet, an L-shaped bracket having a generally vertically extending upper leg connected to the movable element of said second actuator and a generally horizontally extending lower leg normally positioned under said lowermost product so that said stack is thereby supported by said bracket, and a substantially planar, generally horizontally extending bail integrally affixed to said bracket and normally positioned adjacent one side of said lowermost product, said bail being substantially vertically aligned with the juncture between said lowermost and the next lowermost product in said stack so that upon energization of said second actuator, said lower leg is removed from under said lowermost product and said bail is moved between said lowermost and next lowermost products, whereupon said lowermost product gravitates away from said stack and the remaining products in said stack are supported by said bail, and upon de-energization of said second actuator, said bail is removed from under said next lowermost product and said lower leg is moved under said next lowermost product, whereupon said remaining products gravitate downwardly until said next lowermost product contacts said lower leg and said remaining products are thereby supported by said bracket; means for supplying electrical current to said electrodes; and means for controlling the operation of said first and second actuators and said current supplying means so that said products are sequentially heated and dispensed in response to a control signal.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means mounted in said cabinet for storing a plurality of said stacks, and means for relatively moving said storage means and said heating and dispensing mechanisms so that when one stack is exhausted said heating and dispensing mechanisms will be positioned below another stack.
 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2; wherein said storage means comprises at least one magazine rotatably mounted in said cabinet and comprising a plurality of radially extending storage racks each being adapted to store a stack of said products therein; and wherein said relative moving means comprises means for selectively rotating said magazine.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3; wherein one of said heating mechanisms and one of said dispensing mechanisms are positioned at each of two diametrically opposed locations below each of said magazines; and wherein said racks are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of said magazines.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising refrigeration means mounted in said cabinet for maintaining the interior of the cabinet at a reduced temperature to prevent said products from spoiling. 